Gaming has taken the world by storm, yet certain countries and locales are known for their contributions to and reputation in the gaming world. Japan is known for its iconic franchises and pioneering gaming culture, the U.S. is a major hub for all things gaming and esports, South Korea is renowned for its competitive gaming scene, and Sweden is home to many successful game developers. While New Zealand isn’t on this list, that doesn’t mean the country doesn’t have its own gaming community and culture.
New Zealanders love gaming just like anyone else. While the country’s efforts aren’t as mainstream as those of other countries, its game development studios and engines are on par. The landscape is vibrant, with plenty of video game platforms, online casinos, and other gaming-related sites that Kiwis frequent.
Whatever your speed, you’re bound to find a gaming website you’ll love on this list.
Video Game Platforms
Like all gamers worldwide, New Zealanders flock to the most popular video game platforms due to their massive game libraries and trusted reputations.
Steam Store
With roughly 60% of households using computers as their gaming method of choice, it’s no surprise that the Steam Store is heavily accessed in New Zealand. The video game storefront by Valve has become the most popular computer game service worldwide, allowing developers to upload and sell their games. Its giant game library features tens of thousands of games in just about every genre you can imagine, and regular sales and discounts let players purchase games at reasonable prices year-round.
PlayStation Store
The PlayStation Store is another go-to, specifically for PlayStation console owners. Gamers can hop on the store’s home page and access a ton of free and paid downloadable content like themes, demos, expansion packs, and complete games. They can also purchase a PlayStation Plus subscription of varying tiers, including Essential, Premium, and Extra. The higher the tier, the more exclusive benefits and content you can access.
Xbox Store
Xbox players can access a similar game store—the Xbox Store. Like the PlayStation Store, it has exclusive games and the Xbox Game Pass (a PlayStation Plus alternative). With the Xbox Game Pass, users can get access to new releases on day one, enjoy EA Play membership, download both console and PC games, and take advantage of cloud gaming.
Esports Websites
For competitive gamers, esports websites provide a place to watch live streams, discuss strategy, look through player statistics, and tune in for in-depth coverage.
New Zealand Esports Federation
According to the Federation, 86.8% of Kiwi gamers would participate in esports if it were available to them. The New Zealand Esports Federation website is the perfect place for any New Zealander to begin their journey in professional video gaming. It has a Discord, the chance to purchase a membership to participate, and programs, articles, and resources to get people involved. It’s a great place to turn to for players, parents, promoters, and teams who want to immerse themselves or their children in esports.
Esports Earnings
To gain insights into the New Zealand esports scene, Esports Earnings provides a thorough overview of the country’s top games, the prize money awarded across the many tournaments, and players to watch out for. It’s the ultimate tracking database, offering the breakdown you need if you’re looking to make it big yourself.
FACEIT
Knowing what your esports career could look like is one thing, but getting it started is another. FACEIT is a popular way for competitive gamers to train their skills and rise through the ranks in well-known esports titles like Counter-Strike, Dota 2, Overwatch, and more.
The platform is fully protected by its own anti-cheat client and features a smart matchmaking system, making sure you’re participating in a well-balanced match. When players reach the top of the Elo rankings, they can qualify for the FACEIT Pro League and compete against other veterans. It makes participating in esports a lot more accessible for gamers who have the skills but don’t necessarily know how to break into the scene.
Bonus: Discord
Discord is widely used as a communication tool for multiplayer gaming and community building in the gaming world. With voice, video, and chat features, players can connect with like-minded gamers and friends and organize live sessions.
Online Casino/Betting Websites
Although New Zealand-based online casinos are still illegal, there aren’t any laws stopping residents from legally playing at licensed NZ gambling websites offshore.
JackpotCity Casino
JackpotCity is a longstanding online casino platform that has been around since 1998. It caters to many different countries, including New Zealand, with lucrative jackpots, themed poker games, VIP live blackjack, roulette, and exciting slots. It’s one of the most diverse and popular casino sites in the world, with new releases every month, high-quality graphics, an easy-to-navigate user interface, and plenty of promotions that entice players to join.
BetVictor
For an established online casino and sportsbook platform with a stellar reputation among bettors and gamblers, New Zealanders frequently look to BetVictor. Whatever sport you’re into, whether rugby, cricket, golf, horse racing, or football, the site has an incredible spread of events backed by fair odds and a multi-bet builder to up the excitement. BetVictor also has over 3,000 online pokies, 56 jackpot slots, many table games, and even its very own live games. Its exclusive titles and variety of games make it a standout in the online casino world.
